Nurses are special people who have an awesome responsibility to take care of their patients to the best of their knowledge. With that knowledge comes an extensive education and that, for most, in turn comes with the expense of student loans and a lot of hard work. So, perhaps you are wondering what you might receive in return for your knowledge, for spending the whole day on your feet and tending to sick people with contagious diseases or those with a bad attitude.
First and foremost, one of your big pay-offs is the satisfaction of helping mankind in their time of need. Helping to heal others is a rewarding and worthwhile venture, however, you still need to pay the bills. Doing what you love and getting paid for it is truly a gift.
There are many points that factor into the wages of the healthcare worker. For example, the degree of your education, your years of experience, the specialization you work in, as well as, the location and the type of facility and management you are employed by. All of these factors dictate the range of salary for your given profession.
Let’s look at a few careers and their salaries to give you an idea of your earning potential:
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) earns a median salary of approximately $25,090 annually, while the next step up, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocation Nurse (LVN), earns an annual median salary of $43,170.
A Registered Nurse (RN) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) earns an average wage ranging from between $59,737 – $66,640 per year. A Registered Nurse with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree will earn an average salary ranging from between $61,797 – $70,674 annually.
There are several areas of specialization within the realm of nursing that will afford you a lucrative career, however, they may require an online master’s degree or PhD. A Nurse Practitioner’s (NP) salary averages between $90,613 – $104,740 annually and a Certified Nurse Mid-Wife (CNM) will earn a similar average salary ranging from between $96,820 – $104,400 per year. A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) earns an impressive median salary of $157,690 annually. A Critical Care Nurse (CCN) earns a salary ranging from between $47,120 – $68,450 per year, depending on experience.
Several positions with similar titles that pertain to a “Head Nurse” job description may consist of the position of Charge Nurse, who earns an average salary from between $65,216 – $80,611. A RN Supervisor earns approximately $65,660 annually and the Nurse Manager position earns an average salary of $84,248 per year, all depending on experience and educational degree.
If the administrative aspects of nursing are of interest to you, then consider a position as a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or Vice President of a healthcare facility. They generally earn upwards of $166,827 annually with experience and an online Master’s degree or PhD. A Nursing Director earns a salary ranging from between $75,364 – $82,459 per year, while a Long-Term Care Nursing Director may earn approximately $78,445 annually.
Nurse Educators earn a median salary of $72,020 annually and a Medical Researcher with a Doctorate degree earns a salary from between $91,700 – $120,850 annually, depending on education and years of service.
As you can see, there is a wide range of salaries to match a wide range of nursing related careers. To learn more about a career in nursing, check out our Top Online Nursing Degree Programs to help you decide on a program and career that is right for you.